AU2021106599A4

AU2021106599A4 - System And Method For Smart Integrated Traffic Control

Info

Publication number: AU2021106599A4
Application number: AU2021106599A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ankush Rajput; Pankaj Shrivastava; Abhijeet Singh; Manoj K. Singh; Pushpendra Singh; Deep Thakur
Original assignee: Shrivastava Pankaj Dr; Singh Manoj K Dr; Singh Pushpendra Dr
Current assignee: Shrivastava Pankaj Dr; Singh Manoj K Dr; Singh Pushpendra Dr
Priority date: 2021-08-23
Filing date: 2021-08-23
Publication date: 2021-12-02
Anticipated expiration: 2029-08-23

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system of logistics and traffic management particularly to a smart system and method for controlling and monitoring the traffic in the real time. The wastage of time and resources can be reduced with the help of present invention. The invention prioritizes the flow of traffic depending on the types of vehicles and time by using various alert signal and sensors. The invention can also be integrated with toll counters and parking collection booths for an easy and efficient payment collection using a Near Field Communication (NFC) method and thus introduces a cost efficient solution for traffic congestion and toll and parking payments. 1/3 Dm sCenfreI1 TrafficLWgh I rtw IDcanitbo} [nit Fi ur1 (c*

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SMART INTEGRATED TRAFFIC CONTROL

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SMART INTEGRATED TRAFFIC CONTROL BACKGROUND

[001] Field

[002] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a system and method for logistics and traffic control. The present invention particularly relates to a smart traffic analysis and management system and method

[003] Description of Related Art

[004]A city can be represented as a complex organization of various interdependent subsystems. A road traffic is defined as one of the most important subsystems of the city and mainly consists of vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and other road users travelling from one place to another. Traffic is broadly categorized into three main categories namely heavy vehicle, small vehicle and pedestrians. Traffic management is a field of logistics dealing with an organization, arrangement and control of both stationary as well as a moving traffic. The main objective of the traffic management is to provide a safe and an orderly movement of people and vehicles and to protect a quality of the local environment. Traffic laws, governing and regulating the movement of a traffic, comprises of both jurisdiction laws and informal rules for a smooth and a timely flow. Most of the roadways include methods for a direct control of a traffic like markings, signs and signals assisting in the navigation and a safe passage of vehicle/pedestrians. Other forms of traffic management include rumble strips, speed breakers, speed barriers, level crossings, etc. Active traffic management approach by increasing the peak capacity, hard shoulder-running and variable speed limits is also used for traffic management.

[005] Worldwide, people often live and work in different cities. With the rapidly growing population, the number of road users and vehicles have also increased. Consequently, the rate of traffic jam on the roads have also increased. Traffic jams are often considered as a huge wastage of time and resources and sometimes as a "hub" of criminal activities. It is characterized by slow movement of vehicles, increased trip duration and vehicular queueing. Traffic jams or congestions mainly occur because of increase in modal split (traffic volume) and decrease in an available space. Traffic situations and traffic management cannot be fully predicted as it may occur suddenly.

Moreover, some circumstances can further aggregate the congestion like accidents, toll collection, parking payment, security checks and so on. Traffic jams and congestion often described as "tragedy of commons" is a spatiotemporal process occurring at a given time in a given space. It basically represents a number of negative situations like non-productive hours, fuel wastage, vehicle wear and tear and higher collision chances.

[006] Traffic management systems (TMS) are mainly installed in urban cities and new features can be added to these systems as per time and need. Traditional traffic control methods are also integrated with new technologies like wireless communication, image capturing and control systems. Recent developments in the wireless technologies particularly in Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) has played an important role in this field. A system for detecting vehicles and their locations using RFIDs and sensors working in association with a controlling center has been developed. The system uses cloud computing, wireless sensors, GPS tracking and other modern techniques to collect, store and manage the traffic situations. Jadhav et al, 2016 used cameras with MATLAB and microcontroller coding for traffic control and management. Priority based traffic clearance and a number plate detection for traffic rule violation were discussed however, the method was difficult to execute with ever increasing traffic. Wireless sensors were used by Bui et al. 2016, for real-time synchronization-based system for managing traffic flow. Herein, a vehicle to vehicle wireless communication system was used which cannot be applied to pedestrian interrupted traffic mobility. A progression has been accomplished in the field of traffic routing systems that chooses shortest route between two points depending upon the traffic density. The system works by monitoring the vehicle reflected light using sensors. However, the readings are generally affected by the change in temperature, humidity and sunlight.

[007] Recently, the process of toll collection and parking ticket collection has also been digitized with the increasing security and authenticity concerns. Image processing and number plate recognition are globally used for the process optimization. The process, however, is not authentic as vehicle number plates can be replaced. The main issue faced while driving through the toll booths and parking spaces occurs when the drivers have to stop to pay the revenue ticket. The process has been automatized nevertheless, the collection is still in the "stop and pay" mode. Also, the roads where toll revenue and parking tickets is collected have varied traffic flow depending on the time and occasion.

[008]A number of models have been applied for effective and safe flow of traffic, but the correlation between theoretical models and practical situations are not direct as the existing models are unable to predict the for coming situation. Despite of rapid advancements in the field of traffic management system, there is no integrated solution available for traffic congestion and parking and toll payment in urban cities.

[009]There is thus a need for a system and method for managing traffic with a smart integrated solution at a real time.

SUMMARY

[0010] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a central traffic control system comprising: traffic lights installed at an intersection of a roadway; cameras installed at the traffic lights and along the roadway, to capture traffic condition data associated with the roadway, wherein the traffic condition data is selected from one of, images of a real-time traffic condition, videos of the real-time traffic condition, or a combination thereof; a queue detection unit installed along the roadway, wherein the queue detection unit comprises sensors to sense the traffic condition data associated with the roadway; and a control unit connected to the traffic lights, the cameras, and the queue detection unit through a communication network, wherein the control unit is configured to: receive the traffic condition data from the cameras and the queue detection unit; analyze the received traffic condition data at every predefined time interval to generate an alert signal, wherein the predefined time interval is 2 seconds; and change an operation of the traffic lights based on the generated alert signal.

[0011] Adding to this, the control unit is further configured to store the traffic condition data in a database unit and use it to train the machine learning (ML) algorithm.

[0012] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention are also configured to determine a traffic violation by a vehicle and generate a violation ticket for the corresponding vehicle.

[0013] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide an integrated system for managing toll counters and/or parking areas.

[0014] Further, the control unit present in the central traffic control system is also configured to generate a toll ticket and/or a parking ticket for the vehicle crossing the toll booth area and/or entering the parking area respectively by analyzing the traffic condition data.

[0015] Next, embodiments of the present invention further elaborate the toll ticket generated for the vehicle crossing the toll counter and the parking ticket generated for the vehicle entering the parking area is a Near Field Communication (NFC) toll ticket and a Near Field Communication (NFC) parking ticket respectively associated with the registration number of corresponding vehicle.

[0016] Traffic management in market and industrial areas is one of the major challenges for the development of the smart cities. Owing to increasing population and vehicles in metropolitan cities, the condition of traffic and parking areas is continuously detreating. Moreover, people often live and work in different cities. Toll booths and counters are installed from place to place to avail revenues in exchange of reduced travel time and comfort. In the recent state, people are moving away from traditional payment systems for toll counters and parking spaces.

[0017] In the present scenario, no integrated system has been developed that can manage the traffic condition as well as the toll counters and parking spaces. The present invention provides a solution for real time monitoring of traffic condition and traffic rule violation at a given place in real time. The system herein described also generates a Near Field Communication (NFC) parking ticket and a Near Field Communication (NFC) toll ticket based the registration number of the corresponding vehicle. Further, the present invention automatically increases the punctuality of the public transportation system by reducing the number of queueing vehicle. The movement of vehicle is "prioritized" on the basis of type of vehicle entering the intersection.

[0018] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.

[0019] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:

[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram depicting a central traffic control system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates a functional block diagram of a control unit, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0023] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method for controlling and managing traffic condition with real time monitoring, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words "include", "including", and "includes" mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents faling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0026] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases ''consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0027] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0028] The growing population and number of vehicles in the metropolitan cities represent a major hurdle in the development of the smart cities. People often work and live at different places and commuting from one to another has been quite difficult with the growing use of personal vehicles. Traffic congestions in big cities not only waste a huge amount of time and resources but also increase the road rage incidences. Toll booths and counters are installed from place to place to collect revenue from people enjoying shorter trip time and comfortable journey. However, a person ends up spending more time in "stop and pay" mode of toll and parking collection. The present invention provides an integrated solution for the problems related with traffic congestions and toll/parking monitoring in the real time. The present invention employs various sensors to track and monitor the traffic condition in the real time. The present invention prioritizes the flow of traffic depending upon the time and space situation, thereby making the flow of traffic smoother and efficient. Also, the present invention provides a solution based on Near Field Communication (NFC) for a toll payment and a token parking system and is thus more cost effective as compared to other available solutions.

[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a central traffic control system (100) comprising: traffic lights (103) installed at an intersection of a roadway (111); cameras (106 and 108) installed at the traffic lights (103) and along the roadway (111), to capture traffic condition data associated with the roadway (111). The traffic condition data may include, but not limited to, images of a real-time traffic condition, videos of the real-time traffic condition, or a combination thereof. The central traffic control system (100) may further include queue detection units (107 and 109) installed with the traffic lights (103) and along the roadway (111). In an embodiment of the present invention, the queue detection unit (107 and 109) may comprise sensors (not shown) to sense the traffic condition data associated with the roadway (111).

[0030] The cameras (106 and 108) installed on the traffic lights (103) and along the roadways (111) may include, but not limited to, a speed camera, an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera, a mobile speed camera, a traffic violation camera, or a combination thereof. The sensors present in the queue detection units (107 and 109) comprise of, but not limited to, a microwave detector, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic detector, alight sensor, and so forth.

[0031] As shown in the FIG. 1, the central traffic control system (100) comprising of the traffic light (103) installed at the road intersection (110). The traffic light (103) comprise of the camera (106) and the queue detection unit (107) and works in conjugation with a data center (101) with the help of a communication network (102). The data center (101) is also connected to a camera (108) and a queue detection unit (109) installed along the roadway (111). The cameras (106 and 108) and queue detection units (107 and 109) are configured to capture traffic condition data on the roadway (111). Further, the traffic condition data comprises, but not limited to, images of a real-time traffic condition, videos of the real-time traffic condition, or a combination thereof.

[0032] The communication network (102) may include a wireless network, such as, but not limited to, a cellular network. Further, the communication network (102) may include or otherwise cover networks or sub-networks, each of which may include, for example, a wired or a wireless data pathway.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the traffic lights (103) along with the camera (106) and the queue detection unit (107) , the data center (101), the camera (108) and queue detection unit (109) installed at the roadway (111) may be configured to communicate with each other by one or more communication mediums connected to the communication network (102). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the communication mediums, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.

[0034] Further embodiments of the present invention elaborate the data center (101) comprising of a control unit (104) and a database unit (105). The database unit (105) may be configured for storing the data collected by the cameras (106 and 108) and queue detection units (107 and 109) installed on the traffic lights (103) and the roadways (111).

[0035] Further embodiments of the present invention elaborate control unit (104) present within the data center (101) connected to the traffic lights (103), the cameras (108), and the queue detection unit (109) through a communication network (102). The control unit (104) is configured to receive the traffic condition data from the cameras (106 and 108) and the queue detection unit (107 and 109), in an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the control unit (104) is configured to analyze the received traffic condition data at every predefined time interval to generate an alert signal. In an embodiment of the present invention, the predefined time interval is 2 seconds. Further, the control unit (104) is configured to change an operation of the traffic lights (103) based on the generated alert signal. The working of the control unit (104) is explained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 2.

[0036]FIG. 2 illustrates components of the control unit (104). The control unit (104) comprising of a data receiving module (201), a data analyzing module (202), an algorithm training module (203), a traffic light controlling module (204), a traffic violation monitoring module (205), a vehicle parking module (206), a toll module (207), a Near Field Communication (NFC) module (208), and a communication module (209).

[0037]The data receiving module (201) may be configured to receive the traffic condition data. In an embodiment of the present invention, the data receiving module (201) may be configured to receive the traffic condition data from the cameras (106 and 108) installed on the traffic lights (103) and the roadways (111). In another embodiment of the present invention, the data receiving module (201) may be configured to receive the traffic condition data from the queue detection units (107 and 109) installed on the traffic lights (103) and the roadways (111). The traffic condition data is selected from one of, images of a real-time traffic condition, videos of the real time traffic condition, or a combination thereof.

[0038]As per an embodiment of the present invention, the data analyzing module (202) may be configured to analyze the traffic condition data received from the data receiving module (201). In an embodiment of the present invention, the data analyzing module (202) may be configured to analyze the traffic condition data at every predefined time interval. The predefined time interval may be, but not limited to, 2 seconds, 5 seconds, 1 minute, or so forth. Further the data analyzing module (202) is configured to generate an alert signal based on the analysis of the traffic condition data. The generated alert may be used for changing an operation of the traffic light (103) by the traffic light controlling module (204). Further, the data analyzing module (202) may be configured to store the analyzed traffic condition data in the database unit (105) to train a Machine Learning (ML) algorithm.

[0039]The algorithm training module (203) may be configured to train the Machine Learning (ML) algorithm with the traffic condition data stored in the database unit (105) present within the data center (101). The ML algorithm is selected from one of, a linear regression, a logistic regression, a decision tree, a Naive bayes, a random forest, a K means, or a combination thereof.

[0040] Next, the traffic light controlling module (204) is configured to change the operation of the traffic lights (103) on the basis of the alert signal generated by the data analyzing module (202). The operation of traffic light (103) comprises of activating a red light for a predefined time period, activating a green light for a predefined time period, activating an orange light for a predefined time period, or a combination thereof. For example, in case, an ambulance is detected on a roadway, then a traffic signal associated with a lane in which the ambulance detected, is changed to a green light from a red light.

[0041] Next, the traffic violation monitoring module (205) may be configured to analyze the traffic violation on the basis of collected and analyzed data. The traffic violation may comprise of, but not limited to, violation of a road rule, driving an unauthorized vehicle, over-speeding vehicle, rash driving, over-sized vehicle, and so forth. The traffic violation module (205) may further be configured to generate a traffic violation ticket for the corresponding vehicle.

[0042]Next, the vehicle parking module (206) is configured to manage a parking area. The parking area may include, but not limited to, a widespread parking area, a perpendicular parking area, an organization parking, a basement parking, and so forth. The vehicle parking module (206) is further configured to analyze the traffic condition data of vehicles entering the parking area. The vehicle parking module (206) may further be configured to generate a parking ticket for the vehicle entering the parking area. In an embodiment of the present invention, the generated parking ticket is a Near Field Communication (NFC) parking ticket associated with a registration number of the vehicle entering the parking area.

[0043]The toll module (207) is configured to manage a toll counter installed on the roadways (111). The toll module (207) may be configured to analyze the traffic condition data of the vehicles crossing the toll counters and generate a toll ticket for the corresponding vehicle. The toll counter may include, but not limited to a road toll, a tunnel toll, an unmanned toll, and so forth. The generated toll ticket is a Near Field Communication (NFC) toll ticket associated with a registration number of the vehicle crossing the toll counter, in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044]As discussed above, the traffic violation ticket, the parking ticket and the toll ticket generated by the traffic violation monitoring module (205), the vehicle parking module (206) and the toll module (207) respectively are Near Field Communication (NFC) tickets associated with the corresponding vehicles.

[0045]The Near Field Communication (NFC) module (208) is configured for contactless exchange of data over short distances with the user by using a communication module (209). The user herein can be, but not limited to, an administrator, a security staff, a driver, a vehicle owner, and so forth. The data transmitted to the user on a user device (not shown) may include, but not limited to a traffic violation ticket, an over-speeding ticket, a parking payment ticket, a toll payment ticket, and so forth. The user device may comprise of, but not limited to a smartphone, a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA) device, and so forth.

[0046] FIG. 3 illustrates a method (300) for controlling and managing the traffic condition on the basis of real time data received through the central traffic control system (100) installed at the road intersections (110).

[0047]At step 301, the central traffic control system (100) may receive traffic condition data. The data is received from the cameras (106 and 108) and queue detection units (107 and 109) installed on the traffic lights (103) and the roadways (111), as discussed above

[0048]At step 302, the central traffic control system (100) may analyze the data received at every predefined interval of 2 seconds, in an embodiment of the present invention. The central traffic control system (100) may further store the analyzed traffic condition data in the database unit (105) of the data center (101).

[0049]At step 303, the central traffic control system (100) may train the machine learning (ML) algorithm by using the analyzed traffic condition data stored in the database unit (105).

[0050]At step 304, the central traffic control system (100) may generate an alert signal on the basis of analyzed traffic condition data.

[0051]At step 305, the central traffic control system (100) may change an operation of the traffic lights (103) connected to the data center (101).

[0052]Embodiments of the invention are described above with reference to block diagrams and schematic illustrations of methods and systems according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the diagrams and combinations of blocks in the diagrams can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be loaded onto one or more general purpose computers, special purpose computers, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce machines, such that the instructions which execute on the computers or other programmable data processing apparatus create means for implementing the functions specified in the block or blocks. Such computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the function specified in the block or blocks.

[0053]While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[0054] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

1. A central traffic control system (100) comprising:

traffic lights (103) installed at an intersection of a roadway (111);

cameras (106 and 108) installed at the traffic lights (103) and along the roadway (111), to capture traffic condition data associated with the roadway (111), wherein the traffic condition data is selected from one of, images of a real-time traffic condition, videos of the real-time traffic condition, or a combination thereof;

a queue detection unit (107 and 109) installed at the traffic lights (103) and along the roadway (111), wherein the queue detection unit (107 and 109) comprises sensors to sense the traffic condition data associated with the roadway (111); and

a control unit (104) connected to the traffic lights (103), the cameras (106 and 108), and the queue detection unit (107 and 109) through a communication network (102), wherein the control unit (104) is configured to:

receive the traffic condition data from the cameras (106 and 108) and the queue detection units (107 and 109);

analyze the received traffic condition data at every predefined time interval to generate an alert signal, wherein the predefined time interval is 2 seconds; and

change an operation of the traffic lights (103) based on the generated alert signal.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit (104) is further configured to store the analyzed traffic condition data in a database unit (105) to train a Machine Learning (ML) algorithm.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the ML algorithm is selected from one of, a linear regression, a logistic regression, a decision tree, a Naive bayes, a random forest, a K means, or a combination thereof.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the operation of the traffic lights (103) is selected from one of, activating a red light for a predefined time period, activating a green light for a predefined time period, activating an orange light for a predefined time period, or a combination thereof.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit (104) is further configured to determine a traffic violation by a vehicle by analyzing the traffic condition data.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the control unit (104) is further configured to generate a traffic violation ticket for the corresponding vehicle based on the determined traffic violation.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit (104) is further configured to manage a parking area by generating a parking ticket for the vehicle entering the parking area by analyzing the traffic condition data.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the generated parking ticket is a Near Field Communication (NFC) parking ticket associated with a registration number of the vehicle entering the parking area.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit (104) is further configured to manage a toll counter by generating a toll ticket for the vehicle crossing the toll counter by analysing the traffic condition data.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the generated toll ticket is a Near Field Communication (NFC) toll ticket associated with a registration number of the vehicle crossing the toll counter.